Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 28, 2025

Preparation of Silica Nanoparticles Through Microwave-assisted Acid-catalysis
Published on: December 16, 2013
Sulfuric acid-dimethylamine particle formation enhanced by functional organic acids: an integrated experimental and
Chunyu Wang1,2, Yirong Liu1, Teng Huang3
1School of Information Science and Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, China. shuaijiang@ustc.edu.cn.
Abstract:
Atmospheric new particle formation (NPF), which has been observed globally in clean and polluted environments, is an important source of boundary-layer aerosol particles and cloud condensation nuclei, but the fundamental mechanisms leading to multi-component aerosol formation have not been well understood. Here, we use experiments and quantum chemical calculations to better understand the involvement of carboxylic acids in initial NPF from gas phase mixtures of carboxylic acid, sulfuric acid (SA), dimethylamine, and water. A turbulent flow tube coupled to an ultrafine condensation particle counter with particle size magnifier has been set up to measure NPF. Experimental results show that pyruvic acid (PA), succinic acid (SUA), and malic acid (MA) can enhance sulfuric acid-dimethylamine nucleation in the order PA < SUA < MA with a greater enhancement observed at lower SA concentrations. Computational results indicate that the carboxylic and hydroxyl groups are related to the enhancement. This experiment-theory study shows the formation of multi-component aerosol particles and the role of the organic functional group, which may aid in understanding the role of organics in aerosol nucleation and growth in polluted areas, and help to choose organic molecules of specific structures for simulation.
Related Concept Videos
Aldehydes and Ketones with Amines: Imine Formation Mechanism
Imines are formed under mildly acidic conditions. A pH of 4.5 is ideal for the reaction.
If the pH is low or the solution is too acidic, the reaction slows down in the...
1° Amines to Diazonium or Aryldiazonium Salts: Diazotization with NaNO2 Mechanism
Basicity of Heterocyclic Aromatic Amines
Aldehydes and Ketones with Amines: Enamine Formation Mechanism
Esters to Carboxylic Acids: Acid-Catalyzed Hydrolysis
During hydrolysis, the ester is first activated towards nucleophilic attack through the protonation of the carboxyl oxygen atom by the acid catalyst. The protonation makes the ester carbonyl carbon more electrophilic. In the next step, water acts as a nucleophile and adds to the...
Carboxylic Acids to Esters: Acid-Catalyzed (Fischer) Esterification Overview

